Head-up display

ABSTRACT

Head-up display includes: display element for displaying an image, and a projection optical system for projecting the image, which is displayed on display element, onto viewing region of viewer. The projection optical system includes combiner that is disposed at a position in an optical path from display element to viewing region of viewer. Combiner has a surface at which light incident from display element enters; the surface has a curved surface shape. Combiner has an effective region corresponding to viewing region of viewer. In the effective region, combiner has a horizontal cross-sectional shape that changes in thickness along from the center toward an end.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to head-up displays which allow viewersto visually recognize display images that are presented as virtualimages via reflection means.

2. Description of the Related Art

Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2012-58688 discloses ahead-up display that enables a visually clear recognition of a virtualimage of a display image, at a magnification of not smaller than 1(one), while preventing the virtual image from being viewed asunfavorable double images. Such double images will be caused when thedisplay image is reflected in both the front and rear surfaces of acombiner.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is intended to provide a head-up display whichcan prevent a virtual image from being visually recognized as doubleimages over the entire region of a viewing region of a viewer, with thevirtual image being reflected in the front and rear surfaces of acombiner, windshield, or the like.

A head-up display according to a first aspect of the present disclosureincludes: a display element for displaying an image, and a projectionoptical system for projecting the image displayed on the display elementonto a viewing region of a viewer. The projection optical systemincludes a combiner disposed at a position in an optical path from thedisplay element to the viewing region of the viewer. The combinerincludes a surface at which light incident from the display elemententers. The surface of the combiner has a curved surface shape. Thecombiner has an effective region corresponding to the viewing region ofthe viewer. In the effective region, the combiner has a horizontalcross-sectional shape that changes in thickness along from the center ofthe combiner toward the end of the combiner. Specifically, if the viewerlooks down the combiner, the effective region of the combiner isconfigured to have a longitudinal cross-sectional shape in which thethickness of the combiner gradually decreases from the upper end to thelower end. If the viewer looks down the combiner, the effective regionof the combiner is configured to have a longitudinal cross-sectionalshape in which the thickness of the combiner gradually decreases fromthe upper end to the lower end. If the viewer is a driver of the lefthand steering wheel vehicle, the effective region of the combiner isconfigured to have a transverse cross-sectional shape in which thethickness of the combiner gradually increases from the center to theleft end when viewed from the viewer. If the viewer is a driver of theright hand steering wheel vehicle, the effective region of the combineris configured to have a traverse cross-sectional shape in which thethickness of the combiner gradually increases from the center to theright end when viewed from the viewer.

A head-up display according to a second aspect of the present disclosureincludes: a display element for displaying an image, and a projectionoptical system for projecting the image displayed on the display elementonto a viewing region of a viewer. The projection optical systemincludes a windshield disposed at a position in an optical path from thedisplay element to the viewing region of the viewer. The windshieldincludes a surface at which light incident from the display elemententers. The surface of the windshield has a curved surface shape. Thewindshield has an effective region corresponding to the viewing regionof the viewer. In the effective region, the windshield has a horizontalcross-sectional shape that changes in thickness along from the center ofthe windshield toward the end of the windshield. Specifically, if theviewer looks down the windshield, the effective region of the windshieldis configured to have a longitudinal cross-sectional shape in which thethickness of the windshield gradually decreases from the upper end tothe lower end. If the viewer looks up the windshield, the effectiveregion of the windshield is configured to have a longitudinalcross-sectional shape in which the thickness of the windshield graduallydecreases from the lower end to the upper end. If the viewer is a driverof the left hand steering wheel vehicle, the effective region of thewindshield is configured to have a transverse cross-sectional shape inwhich the thickness of the windshield gradually increases from thecenter to the left end when viewed from the viewer. If the viewer is adriver of the right hand steering wheel vehicle, the effective region ofthe windshield is configured to have a transverse cross-sectional shapein which the thickness of the windshield gradually increases from thecenter to the right end when viewed from the viewer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle equipped with ahead-up display according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view for illustrating an opticalconfiguration of a head-up display according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view for illustrating an opticalconfiguration of a head-up display according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view for illustrating an opticalconfiguration of a head-up display according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view for illustrating an opticalconfiguration of a head-up display according to a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a combiner accordingto the first and second embodiments, with the view being taken along thevertical plane passing through the center of the combiner;

FIG. 6B is a transverse cross-sectional view of the combiner accordingto the first and second embodiments, with the view being taken along thehorizontal plane passing through the center of the combiner;

FIG. 7A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a windshield accordingto the fifth embodiment, with the view being taken along the verticalplane passing through the center of the windshield;

FIG. 7B is a transverse cross-sectional view of the windshield accordingto the fifth embodiment, with the view being taken along the horizontalplane passing through the center of the windshield;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a coordinate system for first to fifthnumerical examples;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view for illustrating image distortions in aviewing region of a viewer, in a comparative example comparted to thefirst numerical example;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view for illustrating image distortions in aviewing region of a viewer, according to the first numerical example;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view for illustrating image distortions in aviewing region of a viewer, in a comparative example comparted to thesecond numerical example;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view for illustrating image distortions in aviewing region of a viewer, according to the second numerical example;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view for illustrating image distortions in aviewing region of a viewer, in a comparative example comparted to thethird numerical example;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view for illustrating image distortions in aviewing region of a viewer, according to the third numerical example;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view for illustrating image distortions in aviewing region of a viewer, in a comparative example comparted to thefourth numerical example;

FIG. 16 is a schematic view for illustrating image distortions in aviewing region of a viewer, according to the fourth numerical example;

FIG. 17 is a schematic view for illustrating image distortions in aviewing region of a viewer, in a comparative example comparted to thefifth numerical example; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic view for illustrating image distortions in aviewing region of a viewer, according to the fifth numerical example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, detailed descriptions of embodiments will be made withreference to the accompanying drawings as deemed appropriate. However,descriptions in more detail than necessary will sometimes be omitted.For example, detailed descriptions of well-known items and duplicatedescriptions of substantially the same configuration will sometimes beomitted, for the sake of brevity and easy understanding by those skilledin the art.

Note that the accompanying drawings and the following descriptions arepresented to facilitate fully understanding of the present disclosure bythose skilled in the art and, therefore, are not intended to impose anylimitations on the subject matter described in the appended claims.

1. Configuration

Hereinafter, a head-up display according to first to fifth embodimentswill be described with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of vehicle 100 equipped with head-up display10 according to the first to fourth embodiments. As shown in FIGS. 1 and2, head-up display 10 according to the first to fourth embodiments isconfigured with combiner 230 and a member which is disposed in dashboard110 located below windshield 120 of vehicle 100. Viewer “D” (usually adriver of vehicle 100), who is in the inside of vehicle 100, visuallyrecognizes virtual image “I” via head-up display 10. Optical path “L” isindicated in each of the Figures. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, ahead-up display according to the fifth embodiment is configured withwindshield 120 and a member which is disposed in dashboard 110.

First Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of head-up display 10 according to the firstembodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, head-up display 10 includes case 200,display element 210, and combiner 230. Combiner 230 is disposed at acentral portion when viewed from viewer “D.” Head-up display 10 is onethat works as follows: An image displayed on display element 210 isreflected via front surface 230F of combiner 230. The reflected image isguided to viewing region 400 of viewer “D” in the inside of vehicle 100,thereby allowing the viewer to view virtual image “I” of the image.Here, the viewing region is a region in which viewer “D” will moves theviewer's eyes to look. The viewer can visually recognize virtual image“I” when the viewer moves the eyes to look in the viewing region.Head-up display 10 includes a projection optical system that projectsthe image, which is displayed on display element 210, onto viewingregion 400 of viewer “D.” The projection optical system includescombiner 230 disposed at a position in an optical path from displayelement 210 to viewing region 400 of viewer “D.”

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of head-up display 10 according to the secondembodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, head-up display 10 includes case 200,display element 210, reflection element (reflecting mirror) 220, andcombiner 230. Combiner 230 is disposed at a central portion when viewedfrom viewer “D.” Head-up display 10 is one that works as follows: Animage displayed on display element 210 is reflected via reflectionelement 220 and front surface 230F of combiner 230. The reflected imageis guided to viewing region 400 of viewer “D” in the inside of vehicle100, thereby allowing the viewer to view virtual image “I” of the image.Head-up display 10 includes a projection optical system that projectsthe image, which is displayed on display element 210, onto viewingregion 400 of viewer “D.” The projection optical system includesreflection element 220 and combiner 230 which are disposed at respectivepositions in an optical path from display element 210 to viewing region400 of viewer “D.” FIG. 3 shows the case where one reflection element220 is used to guide a ray of light from display element 210 to combiner230; however, a plurality of reflection elements 220 may be used.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of head-up display 10 according to the thirdembodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, head-up display 10 includes case 200,display element 210, and combiner 230. Combiner 230 is disposed at acentral portion when viewed from viewer “D.” Head-up display 10 is onethat works as follows: An image displayed on display element 210 isreflected via front surface 230F of combiner 230. The reflected image isguided to viewing region 400 of viewer “D” in the inside of vehicle 100,thereby allowing the viewer to view virtual image “I” of the image.Head-up display 10 includes a projection optical system that projectsthe image, which is displayed on display element 210, onto viewingregion 400 of viewer “D.” The projection optical system includescombiner 230 disposed at a position in an optical path from displayelement 210 to viewing region 400 of viewer “D.”

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

Head-up display 10 according to the fourth embodiment has substantiallythe same configuration as head-up display 10 (FIG. 3) according to thesecond embodiment except that the positions of their combiners 230 aredifferent from each other. In head-up display 10 according to the secondembodiment, combiner 230 is disposed at the central portion when viewedfrom viewer “D.” That is, the longitudinal center line (the longitudinalline passing through the center in the width) of combiner 230 is alignedwith the line of sight of viewer “D.” In contrast, in head-up display 10according to the fourth embodiment, combiner 230 is disposed on theright when viewed from viewer “D.” That is, when viewed from viewer “D,”the longitudinal center line of combiner 230 is located at a positionshifted to the right side of the line of sight of viewer “D.”

Fifth Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of head-up display 10 according to the fifthembodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, head-up display 11 includes case 300,display element 310, and projection optical system 330. Projectionoptical system 330 includes: windshield 120, and reflection elementgroup 320 that is configured with first reflection element 321 andsecond reflection element 322. Head-up display 11 is one that works asfollows: An image displayed on display element 310 is reflected viareflection element group 320 and front surface 120F of windshield 120.The reflected image is guided to viewing region 400 of viewer “D” in theinside of vehicle 100, thereby allowing the viewer to view virtual image“I” of the image. Projection optical system 330 is one that projects theimage displayed on display element 310 onto viewing region 400 of viewer“D.” The projection optical system includes windshield 120 disposed at aposition in an optical path from display element 310 to viewing region400 of viewer “D.” For guiding a ray of light from display element 310to windshield 120, the image displayed on display element 310 may bedirectly projected onto windshield 120 without using reflection elementgroup 320. Projection optical system 330 may include a single reflectionelement or, alternatively, not smaller than 3 (three) reflectionelements. Projection optical system 330 may include a lens element.

Head-up display 10 according to each of the first to fourth embodimentsincludes case 200; however, case 200 is not an essential constituentelement. Instead of case 200, dashboard 110 of vehicle 100 may have thefunction of the case.

Head-up display 11 according to the fifth embodiment includes case 300;however, case 300 is not an essential constituent element. Instead ofcase 300, dashboard 110 of vehicle 100 may have the function of thecase.

The image information displayed on elements 210 and 310 is controlled bya controller, not shown, such as a microprocessor. The image informationmay contain a variety of information that includes an engine rotationalspeed, vehicle speed, turn signal, road guidance display, followingdistance, remaining battery life, and current vehicle speed. Each ofdisplay elements 210 and 310 may employ a liquid crystal display,organic light-emitting diode (electroluminescence) display, fluorescentindicator (seven-segment display), or plasma display. Instead of displayelements 210 and 310, a projector or a scanning laser can be used.

2. Advantages and Others

Hereinafter, advantages and others of head-up displays 10 and 11 thatare configured as described above will be described, with reference tothe drawings.

In head-up display 10 shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the ray of light havingexited from display element 210 is reflected to form two display lights,i.e. a display light that is reflected off front surface 230F ofcombiner 230 and a display light that is reflected off rear surface 230Rof the combiner. If these display lights are shifted from each other, itcauses viewer “D” to view them as double images, resulting in a seriousdegradation in image quality. Likewise, in head-up display 11 shown inFIG. 5, the ray of light having exited from display element 310 isreflected to form two display lights, i.e. a display light that isreflected off front surface 120F of the windshield and a display lightthat is reflected off rear surface 120R of the windshield. If thesedisplay lights are shifted from each other, it causes viewer “D” to viewthem as double images, resulting in a serious degradation in imagequality.

FIG. 6A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of combiner 230, with theview being taken along the vertical plane passing through the center ofan effective region of the combiner 230. FIG. 6B is a transversecross-sectional view of combiner 230, with the view being taken alongthe horizontal plane passing through the center of the effective regionof the combiner 230. Front surface 230F of combiner 230 is a surface onthe side from which the ray of light having exited from display element210 enters. Rear surface 230R is on the opposite side of the combinerfrom front surface 230F.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the effective region of combiner 230 has across-sectional shape in which the thickness of the combiner graduallychanges from thickness T1 of the lower portion of the combiner tothickness T2 of the upper portion. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6B, theeffective region of combiner 230 has a cross-sectional shape in whichthe thickness of the combiner gradually changes from thickness T3 of thecentral portion of the combiner to thicknesses T4 and T5 of the ends onthe left and right sides, respectively. Here, each of the directionalterms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” and “right” used herein indicates thecorresponding direction when viewed from viewer “D.” The terms “centerof combiner 230” used herein indicate the intersection point of combiner230 with the line that connects the center of viewing region 400 to thecenter of virtual image “I.” The terms “upper end,” “lower end,” “leftend,” and “right end” of combiner 230 used herein indicate the upperend, lower end, left end, and right end of the effective region ofcombiner 230, respectively. The effective region of combiner 230 is aregion, in combiner 230, that corresponds to viewing region 400 ofviewer “D.” Such a region in combiner 230 is one in which viewer “D” canvisually recognize virtual image “I” when looking in combiner 230 fromviewing region 400.

FIG. 6A shows the case where thickness T2 of the upper end is largerthan thickness T1 of the lower end, with the thickness monotonicallyincreasing from the lower end to the upper end. However, the thicknessT2 is not necessarily larger than thickness T1. The relation between thethicknesses may change in accordance with the arrangement of thecombiner. For example, in the case shown in FIG. 4, the ray of lightincident on combiner 230 travels in a from-upper-to-lower direction whenviewed from viewer “D,” and the ray of light having exited from combiner230 travels, to viewer “D,” in a from-upper-to-lower direction whenviewed from viewer “D.” In this case, thickness T1 is larger thanthickness T2.

Moreover, FIG. 6B shows the case in which thicknesses T4 and T5 of bothends are larger than thickness T3 of the central portion, with thethickness monotonically increasing from the center portion to both theends. As shown in FIG. 6B, combiner 230 has the following shape in theeffective region in combiner 230, with the effective regioncorresponding to the viewing region of viewer “D.” The shape is suchthat, in a horizontal cross section of combiner 230, the thickness ofthe combiner increases at greater distances from the central portiontoward at least one of the left end and the right end.

FIG. 7A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of windshield 120, withthe view being taken along the vertical plane passing through the centerof an effective region of the windshield 120. FIG. 7B is a transversecross-sectional view of windshield 120, with the view being taken alongthe horizontal plane passing through the center of the effective regionof the windshield 120. Front surface 120F of windshield 120 is a surfaceon the side from which the ray of light having exited from displayelement 310 enters. Rear surface 120R is on the opposite side of thewindshield from front surface 120F. As shown in FIG. 7A, the effectiveregion of windshield 120 has a cross-sectional shape in which thethickness of the windshield gradually changes from thickness T1 of thelower end of the windshield to thickness T2 of the upper end. Each ofthe directional terms “up,” “down,” “left,” and “right” used hereinindicates the corresponding direction when viewed from viewer “D.” Theterms “center of windshield 120” used herein indicate the intersectionpoint of windshield 120 with the line that connects the center ofviewing region 400 to the center of virtual image “I.” The terms “upperend,” “lower end,” “left end,” and “right end” of windshield 120 usedherein indicate the upper end, lower end, left end, and right end of theeffective region of windshield 120, respectively. The effective regionof windshield 120 is a region, in windshield 120, that corresponds toviewing region 400 of viewer “D.” Such a region in windshield 120 is onein which viewer “D” can visually recognize virtual image “I” whenlooking in windshield 120 from viewing region 400.

FIG. 7A shows the case where thickness T2 of the upper end is largerthan thickness T1 of the lower end, with the thickness monotonicallyincreasing from the lower end to the upper end. However, the thicknessT2 is not necessarily larger than thickness T1. The relation between thethicknesses may change in accordance with the arrangement of the head-updisplay. For example, a case is considered where a ray of light incidenton the windshield travels in a from-upper-to-lower direction when viewedfrom the viewer and yet where a ray of light having exited from thewindshield travels, to the viewer, in a from-upper-to-lower directionwhen viewed from the viewer. In this case, thickness T1 is larger thanthickness T2.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7B, the shape of windshield 120 is such thatthe thickness of the windshield gradually changes from thickness T3 ofthe center of the windshield to thicknesses T4 and T5 of the left andright ends. Specifically, the shape is such that T4 is larger than T3while T5 is smaller than T3. Here, the relation in which T4 is largerthan T3 while T5 is smaller than T3 is not necessarily held. Therelation between the thicknesses may change in accordance with thearrangement of the head-up display.

As shown in FIG. 7B, in a vehicle with a left-hand steering wheel, theshape of windshield 120 curves toward the viewer “D” side, when it isobserved and scanned transversely toward the left side viewed fromviewer “D;” thickness T4 is larger than thickness T3 while thickness T5is smaller than thickness T3. In contrast, in a vehicle with aright-hand steering wheel, the shape of windshield 120 curves toward theviewer “D” side, when it is observed and scanned transversely toward theright side viewed from viewer “D;” thickness T4 is smaller thanthickness T3 while thickness T5 is larger than thickness T3.

In both cases of the left-hand steering wheel and right-hand steeringwheel vehicles, windshield 120 has the shape as follows: In a horizontalcross section of windshield 120, the thickness of the windshieldincreases at greater distances from the center toward at least one ofthe left end and the right end in the effective region in windshield120, with the effective region corresponding to the viewing region ofviewer “D.”

Such a shape of each of combiner 230 and windshield 120 enables displaylights to be superimposed on one another, with the display lights havingbeen respectively reflected off the front surface and rear surface of acorresponding one of combiner 230 and windshield 120. This prevents thedisplay image from being visually recognized as double images by viewer“D.”

FIGS. 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 are schematic views for illustrating virtualimages “I” when viewed from viewing region 400 in cases (comparativeexamples) where either combiner 230 or windshield 120 according to thecorresponding one of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifthembodiments is modified such that the front surface and rear surfacehave the same shape. Moreover, FIGS. 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 areschematic views for illustrating virtual images “I” when viewed fromviewing region 400 in cases where either combiner 230 or windshield 120according to the corresponding one of the first, second, third, fourth,and fifth embodiments is used. The shapes of the front surface and rearsurface of either combiner 230 or windshield 120 in the correspondingone of these cases will be described using the following first to fifthnumerical examples. Viewing region 400 is a rectangle of 50 mm long by170 mm wide.

In FIGS. 9 to 18, numerical symbols (1) to (9) indicate viewingpositions in viewing region 400, and designate schematic illustrationsof virtual images “I” when viewed from the corresponding viewingpositions. Viewing position (1) is at the center of viewing region 400.Viewing positions (2) and (3) are at the lower end and upper end withrespect to the center, respectively. Viewing positions (5), (4), and (6)are at the upper end, center, and lower end on the right end side ofviewing region 400, respectively. Viewing positions (8), (7), and (9)are at the upper end, center, and lower end on the left end side ofviewing region 400, respectively. Solid lines indicate the virtualimages, when viewed from viewing region 400, each of which is producedby a ray of light that has been reflected off either front surface 230Fof combiner 230 or front surface 120F of windshield 120. Dashed linesindicate the virtual images, when viewed from viewing region 400, eachof which is produced by a ray of light that has been reflected offeither rear surface 230R of combiner 230 or rear surface 120R ofwindshield 120.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18, the shape of each of combiner230 and windshield 120 according to the present disclosure enables anexcellent correction of double images over the entire region of viewingregion 400. That is, viewer “D” can visually recognize a good virtualimage from a location wherever the viewing point is at in viewing region400.

NUMERICAL EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, specific numerical examples of the head-up displaysaccording to the first to fifth embodiments will be described. Notethat, throughout Tables of the numerical examples, the unit of all ofthe lengths is “mm” (millimeter), and the unit of all of the angles is“°” (degree). Moreover, in each of the numerical examples, a free-formsurface is defined by the following equations.

$\begin{matrix}{z = {\frac{{cr}^{2}}{1 + \sqrt{1 - {\left( {1 + k} \right)c^{2}r^{2}}}} + {\sum\limits_{j = 2}{C_{j}x^{m}y^{n}}}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1} \\{r = \sqrt{x^{2} + y^{2}}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2} \\{j = {\frac{\left( {m + n} \right)^{2} + m + {3n}}{2} + 1}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 3}\end{matrix}$

In these equations, “z” is the amount of a sag which defines the surfaceat a position (x, y) from X and Y axes; “c” is the curvature whichdefines the surface at the origin of the axes; “k” is the conicconstant; “m” and “n” are each an integer not smaller than 0 (zero); andCj is the coefficient of a monomial expression of x^(m)y^(n).

Moreover, in each of the numerical examples, the origin of thecoordinates, serving as a reference, is set at the center of displayimage 510 of display element 500 (display element 210 or display element310), and X, Y, and Z axes are defined as shown in FIG. 8.

Moreover, in eccentricity data in each of the numerical examples, “ADE”is the amount of rotation on the X axis, from the Z axis direction tothe Y axis direction; “BDE” is the amount of rotation on the Y axis,from the X axis direction to the Z axis direction; and “CDE” is theamount of rotation on the Z axis, from the X axis direction to the Yaxis direction.

First Numerical Example

The projection optical system in the first numerical example correspondsto that according to the first embodiment. Table 1 shows configurationdata of the projection optical system in the first numerical example.Table 2 shows coefficients of polynomial free-form surfaces. Table 3shows specifications of the combiner. T1 to T5 in Table 3 are each amaterial thickness at x and y coordinates in Equation 1, and correspondto T1 to T5 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

TABLE 1 Surface Eccentricity Data Number Shape X Y Z ADE BDE CDE Display1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Surface Combiner's 2 Free-Form 0 66.6521 254.0940 26.51250 0 Front Surface Surface Combiner's 3 Free-Form 0 68.8841 258.568226.5125 0 0 Rear Surface Surface Viewer 4 0 −250.8383 −147.5347 38.32660 0

TABLE 2 Surface Number Polynomial Coefficients 2 c(Curvature)0.002776506 C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 −4.2910.E−11  C2 0.0000.E+00 C200.0000.E+00 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 −1.7562.E−10  C4 −2.1798.E−03  C220.0000.E+00 C5 0.0000.E+00 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6 −2.1663.E−03  C240.0000.E+00 C7 0.0000.E+00 C25 0.0000.E+00 C8 1.3418.E−07 C260.0000.E+00 C9 0.0000.E+00 C27 0.0000.E+00 C10 1.8192.E−07 C280.0000.E+00 C11 −3.4803.E−09  C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 0.0000.E+00 C300.0000.E+00 C13 −6.4425.E−09  C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 0.0000.E+00 C320.0000.E+00 C15 −5.3973.E−09  C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 0.0000.E+00 C340.0000.E+00 C17 −1.4853.E−11  C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 0.0000.E+00 C360.0000.E+00 3 c(Curvature) 0.002126856 C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 −4.3241.E−11 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 0.0000.E+00 C3 −9.2169.E−04  C21 −1.5529.E−10  C4−1.8446.E−03  C22 0.0000.E+00 C5 0.0000.E+00 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6−1.8345.E−03  C24 0.0000.E+00 C7 0.0000.E+00 C25 0.0000.E+00 C81.4014.E−07 C26 0.0000.E+00 C9 0.0000.E+00 C27 0.0000.E+00 C101.6462.E−07 C28 0.0000.E+00 C11 −1.9441.E−09  C29 0.0000.E+00 C120.0000.E+00 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 −2.6689.E−09  C31 0.0000.E+00 C140.0000.E+00 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 −4.3992.E−09  C33 0.0000.E+00 C160.0000.E+00 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 −1.4489.E−11  C35 0.0000.E+00 C180.0000.E+00 C36 0.0000.E+00

TABLE 3 Specifications of Combiner Shape nd vd T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 Free-Form1.531 55.9043 4.976 5.040 5.000 5.102 5.102 Surface Material ThicknessEvaluation Coordinates x y T1 0.000 35.000 T2 0.000 −35.000 T3 0.0000.000 T4 −100.000 0.000 T5 100.000 0.000

Second Numerical Example

The projection optical system in the second numerical examplecorresponds to that according to the second embodiment. Table 4 showsconfiguration data of the projection optical system in the secondnumerical example. Table 5 shows coefficients of polynomial free-formsurfaces. Table 6 shows specifications of the combiner. T1 to T5 inTable 6 are each a material thickness at x and y coordinates in Equation1, and correspond to T1 to T5 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

TABLE 4 Surface Eccentricity Data Number Shape X Y Z ADE BDE CDE Display1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Surface Reflection 2 Plane 0 −21.1615 −77.1504 154.2708 00 Element Combiner's 3 Free-Form 0 −186.6019 −6.2315 −54.1588 0 0 FrontSurface Surface Combiner's 4 Free-Form 0 −190.6551 −3.3038 −54.1588 0 0Rear Surface Surface Viewer 5 0 149.3096 −385.6326 −41.5208 0 0

TABLE 5 Surface Number Polynomial Coefficients 3 c(Carvature)0.002937267 C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 −1.7897.E−11  C2 0.0000.E+00 C200.0000.E+00 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 −6.6971.E−11  C4 −2.2781.E−03  C220.0000.E+00 C5 0.0000.E+00 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6 −2.2495.E−03  C240.0000.E+00 C7 0.0000.E+00 C25 0.0000.E+00 C8 1.6830.E−07 C260.0000.E+00 C9 0.0000.E+00 C27 0.0000.E+00 C10 4.3898.E−07 C280.0000.E+00 C11 −4.0967.E−09  C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 0.0000.E+00 C300.0000.E+00 C13 −7.1870.E−09  C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 0.0000.E+00 C320.0000.E+00 C15 6.7906.E−10 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 0.0000.E+00 C340.0000.E+00 C17 −6.0362.E−12  C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 0.0000.E+00 C360.0000.E+00 4 c(Carvature) 0.00193827 C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 −1.8263.E−11 C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 0.0000.E+00 C3 −9.9204.E−04  C21 −4.6136.E−11  C4−1.7684.E−03  C22 0.0000.E+00 C5 0.0000.E+00 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6−1.7434.E−03  C24 0.0000.E+00 C7 0.0000.E+00 C25 0.0000.E+00 C81.7653.E−07 C26 0.0000.E+00 C9 0.0000.E+00 C27 0.0000.E+00 C103.9586.E−07 C28 0.0000.E+00 C11 −1.6950.E−09  C29 0.0000.E+00 C120.0000.E+00 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 −1.7808.E−09  C31 0.0000.E+00 C140.0000.E+00 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 2.3624.E−09 C33 0.0000.E+00 C160.0000.E+00 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 −6.1819.E−12  C35 0.0000.E+00 C180.0000.E+00 C36 0.0000.E+00

TABLE 6 Specifications of Combiner Shape nd vd T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 Free-Form1.531 55.9043 4.972 5.043 5 5.104 5.104 Surface Material ThicknessEvaluation Coordinates x y T1 0 35 T2 0 −35 T3 0 0 T4 −100 0 T5 100 0

Third Numerical Example

The projection optical system in the third numerical example correspondsto that according to the third embodiment. Table 7 shows configurationdata of the projection optical system in the third numerical example.Table 8 shows coefficients of polynomial free-form surfaces. Table 9shows specifications of the combiner. T1 to T5 in Table 9 are each amaterial thickness at x and y coordinates in Equation 1, and correspondto T1 to T5 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

TABLE 7 Surface Eccentricity Data Number Shape X Y Z ADE BDE CDE Display1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Surface Combiner's 2 Free-Form 0 64.8012 241.8414 −3.05860 0 Front Surface Surface Combiner's 3 Free-Form 0 64.5344 246.8342−3.0586 0 0 Rear Surface Surface Viewer 4 0 269.2582 −287.5461 −21.11730 0

TABLE 8 Surface Number Polynomial Coefficients 3 c(Curvature)2.6920.E−03 C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 4.3789.E−11 C2 0.0000.E+00 C200.0000.E+00 C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 4.0619.E−11 C4 −2.2041.E−03  C220.0000.E+00 C5 0.0000.E+00 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6 −2.1360.E−03  C240.0000.E+00 C7 0.0000.E+00 C25 0.0000.E+00 C8 −4.1583.E−07  C260.0000.E+00 C9 0.0000.E+00 C27 0.0000.E+00 C10 −2.8361.E−07  C280.0000.E+00 C11 −3.3286.E−09  C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 0.0000.E+00 C300.0000.E+00 C13 −6.1653.E−09  C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 0.0000.E+00 C320.0000.E+00 C15 −3.2812.E−10  C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 0.0000.E+00 C340.0000.E+00 C17 2.6639.E−11 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 0.0000.E+00 C360.0000.E+00 4 c(Curvature) 2.2392.E−03 C1 5.7906.E−09 C19 4.3481.E−11 C25.7906.E−09 C20 0.0000.E+00 C3 1.4976.E−03 C21   2.61E−11 C4−1.9664.E−03  C22 0.0000.E+00 C5 0.0000.E+00 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6−1.9035.E−03  C24 0.0000.E+00 C7 0.0000.E+00 C25 0.0000.E+00 C8−4.1936.E−07  C26 0.0000.E+00 C9 0.0000.E+00 C27 0.0000.E+00 C10−2.5584.E−07  C28 0.0000.E+00 C11 −2.2347.E−09  C29 0.0000.E+00 C120.0000.E+00 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 −3.4293.E−09  C31 0.0000.E+00 C140.0000.E+00 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 5.3032.E−10 C33 0.0000.E+00 C160.0000.E+00 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 2.5816.E−11 C35 0.0000.E+00 C180.0000.E+00 C36 0.0000.E+00

TABLE 9 Specifications of Combiner Shape nd vd T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 Free-Form1.49176 57.4414 5.060 4.954 5.000 5.114 5.114 Surface Material ThicknessEvaluation Coordinates x y T1 0.000 35.000 T2 0.000 −35.000 T3 0.0000.000 T4 −100.000 0.000 T5 100.000 0.000

Fourth Numerical Example

The projection optical system in the fourth numerical examplecorresponds to that according to the fourth embodiment. Table 10 showsconfiguration data of the projection optical system in the fourthnumerical example. Table 11 shows coefficients of polynomial free-formsurfaces. Table 12 shows specifications of the combiner. T1 to T5 inTable 12 are each a material thickness at x and y coordinates inEquation 1, and correspond to T1 to T5 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

TABLE 10 Surface Eccentricity Data Number Shape X Y Z ADE BDE CDEDisplay 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Surface Reflection 2 Plane 23.69056 −18.8464−95.0271 158.4785 −11.9884 −3.5722 Element Combiner's 3 Free- 3.94435−155.4658 6.2300 −39.9007 6.3646 9.3336 Front Form Surface SurfaceCombiner's 4 Free- 3.39008 −158.6534 10.0421 −39.9007 6.3646 9.3336 RearForm Surface Surface Viewer 5 50.62999 49.6442 −407.4952 −22.8106 11.8357.0677

TABLE 11 Surface Number Polynomial Coefficients 3 c(Curvature) 2.9343.E−03 C1  0.0000.E+00 C19 2.2102.E−11 C2  0.0000.E+00 C201.3776.E−10 C3  0.0000.E+00 C21 −1.2970.E−10  C4 −2.2582.E−03 C220.0000.E+00 C5  7.0626.E−05 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6 −2.2094.E−03 C240.0000.E+00 C7 −1.9830.E−07 C25 0.0000.E+00 C8  1.9325.E−07 C260.0000.E+00 C9 −2.1687.E−07 C27 0.0000.E+00 C10  4.8046.E−07 C280.0000.E+00 C11 −4.1676.E−09 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 −2.4881.E−10 C300.0000.E+00 C13 −6.9723.E−09 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14  5.6674.E−09 C320.0000.E+00 C15 −1.6794.E−09 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 −2.0158.E−12 C340.0000.E+00 C17 −9.3226.E−12 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 −1.5933.E−11 C360.0000.E+00 4 c(Curvature)  2.4363.E−03 C1  0.0000.E+00 C19 2.2696.E−11C2  0.0000.E+00 C20 1.4261.E−10 C3 −1.0410.E−03 C21 −1.0897.E−10  C4−1.9990.E−03 C22 0.0000.E+00 C5  6.9122.E−05 C23 0.0000.E+00 C6−1.9549.E−03 C24 0.0000.E+00 C7 −2.3383.E−07 C25 0.0000.E+00 C8 1.9206.E−07 C26 0.0000.E+00 C9 −2.4537.E−07 C27 0.0000.E+00 C10 4.3929.E−07 C28 0.0000.E+00 C11 −2.7438.E−09 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12−1.7195.E−10 C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 −3.4594.E−09 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 5.2986.E−09 C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 −9.0529.E−10 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 4.3242.E−13 C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 −8.5824.E−12 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18−1.2842.E−11 C36 0.0000.E+00

TABLE 12 Specifications of Combiner Shape nd vd T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 Free-Form1.49176 57.4414 4.969 5.043 5.000 5.112 5.090 Surface Material ThicknessEvaluation Coordinates x y T1 0.000 35.000 T2 0.000 −35.000 T3 0.0000.000 T4 −100.000 0.000 T5 100.000 0.000

Fifth Numerical Example

The projection optical system in the fifth numerical example correspondsto that according to the fifth embodiment. Table 13 shows configurationdata of the projection optical system in the fifth numerical example.Table 14 shows coefficients of polynomial free-form surfaces. Table 15shows specifications of the windshield. T1 to T5 in Table 15 are each amaterial thickness at x and y coordinates in Equation 1, and correspondto T1 to T5 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

TABLE 13 Surface Eccentricity Data Number Shape X Y Z ADE BDE CDEDisplay 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 Surface First 2 Free- −0.10066 10.35273 38.63691−18.6506 −1.2724 0.7698 Mirror Form Surface Second 3 Free- −3.2586173.62755 −10.21311 −17.6384 −2.8644 1.5035 Mirror Form SurfaceWindshield’s 4 Free- 4.5599 136.36839 168.28148 142.2313 −5.3783 15.3812Front Form Surface Surface Windshield’s 5 Free- 5.12228 140.02706163.55942 142.2313 −5.3783 15.3812 Rear Form Surface Surface Viewer 6−58.51654 −360.1382 948.77496 142.2313 −5.3783 15.3812

TABLE 14 Surface Number Polynomial Coefficients 2 c(Curvature)1.1207.E−02 C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 −1.5854.E−08  C2 0.0000.E+00 C20−4.9352.E−09  C3 0.0000.E+00 C21 3.4570.E−08 C4 −3.3955.E−03  C228.9481.E−11 C5 −1.3320.E−04  C23 2.6917.E−11 C6 −5.5411.E−03  C24−2.2321.E−10  C7 2.8409.E−06 C25 2.0953.E−11 C8 −1.5267.E−05  C263.6129.E−10 C9 2.6042.E−06 C27 1.8581.E−10 C10 −2.1391.E−05  C28−3.8333.E−10  C11 −6.5334.E−07  C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 −8.8211.E−08  C300.0000.E+00 C13 −9.5366.E−08  C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 −1.7568.E−07  C320.0000.E+00 C15 −5.4531.E−07  C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 −2.2916.E−10  C340.0000.E+00 C17 7.2559.E−09 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 1.0544.E−09 C360.0000.E+00 3 c(Curvature) −1.2801.E−03  C1 0.0000.E+00 C19−2.3176.E−10  C2 0.0000.E+00 C20 −5.3817.E−11  C3 0.0000.E+00 C214.2077.E−10 C4 2.6756.E−03 C22 3.8579.E−13 C5 −8.1959.E−05  C238.9571.E−14 C6 1.8046.E−03 C24 −1.5595.E−12  C7 4.9954.E−09 C254.2917.E−13 C8 −4.7935.E−06  C26 4.7577.E−12 C9 1.0523.E−07 C271.5700.E−12 C10 −3.4600.E−06  C28 −2.0811.E−12  C11 −5.5931.E−09  C290.0000.E+00 C12 −1.9268.E−09  C30 0.0000.E+00 C13 1.8496.E−08 C310.0000.E+00 C14 −7.9645.E−09  C32 0.0000.E+00 C15 −6.9779.E−09  C330.0000.E+00 C16 −6.3684.E−13  C34 0.0000.E+00 C17 6.0468.E−11 C350.0000.E+00 C18 2.0036.E−11 C36 0.0000.E+00 4 c(Curvature) 9.6494.E−04C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 −1.0831.E−12  C2 2.8927.E−01 C20 3.1717.E−14 C31.6867.E+00 C21 8.7288.E−13 C4 −1.3578.E−03  C22 −3.4952.E−14  C5−3.5561.E−06  C23 6.7891.E−17 C6 −1.1300.E−03  C24 −4.8522.E−14  C75.8509.E−08 C25 −4.1448.E−17  C8 −9.6733.E−08  C26 9.0027.E−15 C9−1.3382.E−07  C27 1.4376.E−17 C10 −1.0626.E−07  C28 −1.0902.E−15  C112.6917.E−10 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 −9.4272.E−11  C30 0.0000.E+00 C137.9349.E−10 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 5.0684.E−11 C32 0.0000.E+00 C151.4182.E−09 C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 7.7588.E−14 C34 0.0000.E+00 C175.5244.E−12 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 2.3747.E−15 C36 0.0000.E+00 5c(Curvature) 9.7017.E−04 C1 0.0000.E+00 C19 −4.8352.E−12  C2 2.8923.E−01C20 6.6357.E−11 C3 1.6816.E+00 C21 −2.1275.E−11  C4 −1.3578.E−03  C22−4.0165.E−14  C5 −3.6151.E−06  C23 5.4968.E−14 C6 −1.1294.E−03  C24−1.0040.E−13  C7 −1.2234.E−07  C25 2.8303.E−13 C8 −5.3512.E−08  C261.8952.E−14 C9 −3.8127.E−07  C27 7.5516.E−13 C10 −9.6143.E−08  C287.1448.E−14 C11 3.8620.E−10 C29 0.0000.E+00 C12 −8.8484.E−10  C300.0000.E+00 C13 9.4072.E−10 C31 0.0000.E+00 C14 −2.0440.E−09  C320.0000.E+00 C15 −9.6693.E−10  C33 0.0000.E+00 C16 9.3948.E−12 C340.0000.E+00 C17 2.2480.E−12 C35 0.0000.E+00 C18 2.1167.E−11 C360.0000.E+00

TABLE 15 Specifications of Windshield Shape nd vd T1 T2 T3 T4 T5Free-Form 1.5168 64.1664 5.794 6.357 6.000 6.124 5.942 Surface MaterialThickness Evaluation Coordinates x y T1 0.000 40.000 T2 0.000 −70.000 T30.000 0.000 T4 −100.000 0.000 T5 100.000 0.000

The head-up displays according to the present disclosure areparticularly effectively applicable for use in head-up displays, such asvehicle-mounted head-up displays, which require high image quality.

What is claimed is:
 1. A head-up display, comprising: a display elementfor displaying an image; and a projection optical system for projecting,onto a viewing region of a viewer, the image displayed on the displayelement, the projection optical system including a combiner disposed ata position in an optical path from the display element to the viewingregion of the viewer, wherein the combiner includes a front surface atwhich light incident from the display element enters, the front surfacehaving a curved surface shape, the combiner having a center, an upperend, a lower end, a right end, a left end and an effective regioncorresponding to the viewing region of the viewer; the effective regionof the combiner is configured to have a longitudinal cross-sectionalshape in which a thickness of the combiner gradually decreases from theupper end to the lower end or gradually decreases from the lower end tothe upper end, the effective region of the combiner is configured tohave a transverse cross-sectional shape in which the thickness of thecombiner gradually increases from the center to the left end when viewedfrom the viewer, and the effective region of the combiner is configuredto have a transverse cross-sectional shape in which the thickness of thecombiner gradually increases from the center to the right end whenviewed from the viewer.
 2. The head-up display according to claim 1,further comprising a reflection element for reflecting the imagedisplayed on the display element so as to guide the image to the viewer.3. The head-up display according to claim 1, wherein the combinerincludes a rear surface, and each of the front and rear surfaces has ashape curving outward in a middle portion of the corresponding surfacewhen viewed from the viewer.
 4. The head-up display according to claim1, wherein the combiner includes a rear surface, and each of the frontand rear surfaces has a free-form surface shape.
 5. A head-up display,comprising: a display element for displaying an image; and a projectionoptical system for projecting, onto a viewing region of a driver of avehicle, the image displayed on the display element, the projectionoptical system including a windshield disposed at a position in anoptical path from the display element to the viewing region of thedriver, wherein the windshield includes a front surface at which lightincident from the display element enters, the front surface having acurved surface shape, the windshield having a center, an upper end, alower end, a right end, a left end and an effective region correspondingto the viewing region of the driver; if the viewer looks up thewindshield, the effective region of the windshield is configured to havea longitudinal cross sectional shape in which the thickness of thewindshield gradually decreases from the lower end to the upper end, theeffective region of the windshield is configured to have, for a lefthand steering wheel vehicle, a transverse cross-sectional shape in whichthe thickness of the windshield gradually increases from the center tothe left end when viewed from the driver, and the effective region ofthe windshield is configured to have, for a right hand steering wheelvehicle, a transverse cross-sectional shape in which the thickness ofthe windshield gradually increases from the center to the right end whenviewed from the driver.
 6. The head-up display according to claim 5,further comprising a reflection element for reflecting the imagedisplayed on the display element so as to guide the image to the driver.7. The head-up display according to claim 5, wherein the windshieldincludes a rear surface, and each of the front and rear surfaces has ashape curving outward in a middle portion of the corresponding surfacewhen viewed from the driver.
 8. The head-up display according to claim5, wherein the windshield includes a rear surface, and each of the frontand rear surfaces has a free-form surface shape.
 9. The head-up displayaccording to claim 5, wherein the projection optical system includes areflection element group disposed at a position in an optical path fromthe display element to the windshield, and reflected surfaces of thereflection element group are concave.